Each cloak was fastened about the neck with a brooch like a green leaf veined with silver. `Are these magic cloaks?' asked Pippin, looking at them with wonder. `I do not know what you mean by that,' answered the leader of the Elves.

Was when the "2nd Edition" with the revised "Riddles in the Dark" was published. That would probably be a second impression of that edition if it dates to about 1954.

It looks like a nice book, though it is ex-library and doesn't have a dustjacket. I'd keep an eye on it, though, since you could probably get it of a pretty good price. (Formerly drogo of the two names!)

although there's 8 days until the auction is over. If I can get it for less than $100 I might go for it - I'll let you know!

Each cloak was fastened about the neck with a brooch like a green leaf veined with silver. `Are these magic cloaks?' asked Pippin, looking at them with wonder. `I do not know what you mean by that,' answered the leader of the Elves.

I suspect someone converted the paperback into a hardback because I never heard of the Ballantine editions issued in hard cover, but I think it's a nice novelty. The price is really low.http://cgi.ebay.com/...53&rd=1&rd=1

Each cloak was fastened about the neck with a brooch like a green leaf veined with silver. `Are these magic cloaks?' asked Pippin, looking at them with wonder. `I do not know what you mean by that,' answered the leader of the Elves.

Publishers sometimes sell paperbacks in a hardcover binding for the library market, particularly if they are likely to be checked out often. Then many libraries actually take paperbacks and have them rebound. It looks like that to me since the paperback covers appear to have been glued onto the boards.

For the price, it would be a nice way to have a durable version of the early Ballantine. The Aces are more valuable, and I notice there is a set for sale now at about the $5 mark. (Formerly drogo of the two names!)

and a set of the Ballantines. This one interests me because it's a little unique, but not necessarily more valuable and it's inexpensive. I know you posted several sites below to troll for Tolkien books, but I'm trying to confine myself to e-bay because I have no control when buying books, especially Tolkien books. More sites just adds to the temptation.

Each cloak was fastened about the neck with a brooch like a green leaf veined with silver. `Are these magic cloaks?' asked Pippin, looking at them with wonder. `I do not know what you mean by that,' answered the leader of the Elves.

at a used book store in a VERY tiny town about 3 years ago. It was also an ex-library copy and is in about the same shape, if not a bit better. This is the first edition with the changes to Riddles in the Dark. I got this and a first edition of Unfinished tales for about $8 IIRC. I remember twitching a lot as I paid for them... so it could have been $8 for just the one ;)

I'm fine if someone bids against me - I know what I want to pay and if I don't get something I'm fine. It's just stuff.

Each cloak was fastened about the neck with a brooch like a green leaf veined with silver. `Are these magic cloaks?' asked Pippin, looking at them with wonder. `I do not know what you mean by that,' answered the leader of the Elves.